Chess Puzzle #2xAvV — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights c3/c6; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop g7; knights d5/d7; pawns a5/c5/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen d8→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxb5 (queen b6→b5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nc7+ — knight d5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
4. Best move: Nxb5 — knight c7→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qk2r/3nppbp/2N3p1/pQpn4/8/2N5/PP3PPP/R1B2RK1 b kq - 3 14

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